Summary of the investigation:

• The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed an investigation into the Walhalla Rescue Squad and its former chief, William Tatum, regarding allegations of financial wrongdoing and misappropriation of funds.​​
• SLED and local officials clarified that no current member, officer, or volunteer of the Walhalla Rescue Squad is accused or suspected of any wrongdoing, and the organization is cooperating fully with law enforcement.​
• The investigation led to the former chief being charged with embezzlement of public funds; William Tatum was arrested after admitting to embezzling public funds during his tenure.​
• The Rescue Squad stated it remains dedicated to integrity, transparency, and their mission to serve the citizens of Oconee County.

Key timeline:

• August 2025: SLED confirms investigation and charges are announced.​​
• August 21, 2025: The former chief is formally charged and arrested.​

If you need more details (such as the official press release or legal documents), they can be found via SLED or SC True News outlets.

Today is a great day, we finally got some good rain to help stop the fires that are engulfing Pickens County.

So glad that they are getting the rain needed to stop the fire. This will help immensely I am sure.

Here is the current weather forecast:

Based on the current weather information for Oconee County, South Carolina (as of Monday, March 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM EDT):

• Current conditions: It is currently raining, with light thunderstorms occurring in the area.
• Expected Rainfall: Approximately 0.27 inches of rain is forecasted for today.
• Timing: There is a good chance of rain continuing until about 5:00 PM EDT today.

Latest information from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, while there are some areas that will still remain under a burn ban most counties will have the burn ban lifted.

Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg counties to remain under ban
COLUMBIA—The State Forester’s Burning Ban
will be lifted for all but five South Carolina counties
at 6 a.m. Monday, March 31.

Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg
counties will remain under the burning ban until
further notice.

The Forestry Commission is lifting the ban in the
other 41 counties because the dangerous
combination of low relative humidities and gusty
winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning
prohibition has improved and is expected to ease
significantly across the state over the next week.
The ban is being left in place in the remaining
counties for several reasons. The sheer amount of
Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment dedicated to the Table Rock Complex in
Greenville and Pickens counties, which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000 plus acres, has potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions.
The ban in Horry County remains in place while Forestry Commission resources continue to focus their
efforts on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Myrtle Beach-area Covington Drive Fire,
which is now 85 percent contained.
“Burning bans are not intended to be extended, much less permanent, solutions to wildfires,” said SCFC
Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture,
but we can’t emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather.”
Underlying conditions still warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors, as above average fire danger and activity is expected through April, which has historically seen the worst, most damaging and costly wildfires in South Carolina.
Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire(s) to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so.
Notification procedures as well as mandatory precautions for conducting burns may be found on the SCFC website: https://www.scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/

The Table Rock Fire, raging through South Carolina’s Upstate region, continues to challenge firefighting crews and threaten nearby communities as of March 28, 2025. Here’s the latest on this rapidly evolving situation in the Table Rock Complex.

Fire Overview and Growth

The blaze, which ignited on March 21, 2025, within Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, was sparked by the negligent actions of four teenage hikers. Fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and an abundance of downed timber from Hurricane Helene, the fire has exploded in size. As of the evening of March 27, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reported an estimated 8,679 acres burned, based on infrared data from a 4:30 p.m. surveillance flight. However, some X posts and unofficial reports suggest it may have surpassed 10,000 acres by nightfall—though official confirmation is still pending.
The Table Rock Fire remains at 0% containment, with its steep, mountainous terrain and storm debris complicating efforts to establish a perimeter. It’s part of the broader Table Rock Complex, which also includes the nearby Persimmon Ridge Fire in Greenville County (996 acres as of the latest update), both managed under a unified incident command.

Evacuations and Community Impact

Mandatory evacuations are in place across Pickens and Greenville counties. In Pickens, all areas north of Highway 11 from Aunt Sue’s to the Greenville County line are under orders to evacuate, with a shelter available at Marietta First Baptist Church (2936 Geer Highway, Marietta, SC). Affected roads include Table Rock Road, Caesars Head Highway, and Pumpkin Lane, among others. The fire’s northward push has also triggered evacuations in Transylvania County, North Carolina, with shelters relocated to the Recreation Department at 1078 Ecusta Road.
No new evacuation orders were issued on March 27, but existing ones remain active, particularly east of the Table Rock Fire. Table Rock State Park has shut down all trails, campgrounds, and day-use areas indefinitely, and heavy smoke has made driving hazardous along Highway 11.

Firefighting Efforts

A robust response is underway, with 148 firefighters deployed via SC State Fire, backed by aerial support including SC National Guard Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, SLED helicopters, and a historic very large air tanker (VLAT) drop on March 27—the first of its kind in South Carolina. Crews have made some headway, connecting containment lines on the southern front and conducting controlled burnouts to reduce fuel. However, forecasted low humidity (23%) and wind gusts up to 30 mph on March 28 threaten to intensify fire activity overnight.
A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) will take over command on March 28 to streamline operations, with additional hand crews arriving to build firelines. Governor Henry McMaster’s state of emergency declaration on March 22, paired with a statewide burn ban, remains in effect to prioritize firefighting resources.

Current Conditions and Outlook

While milder weather on March 27 allowed some progress on firebreaks, the situation remains precarious. No injuries or structural losses have been reported, but the fire’s proximity to residential areas keeps the threat level high. With winds picking up and humidity dropping, officials expect heightened fire behavior into March 28.

Donations

You can also bring items to the Walhalla City Fire Department as well, here is a list of items needed:
UPDATED LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS
With an average of of 400 first responders working the Table Rock Complex Fire, this is an updated list
Please bring all items by WALHALLA FIRE DEPARMENT BY NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 28 2025!
207 E North Broad ST, Walhallalla, SC
Gold Bond
Mole Skin
Safety Glasses/Goggles
Bandanas
Duct Tape
Super Glue
Mouthwash (Travel Size)
Dude Wipes
Brown Lunch bags (#12)
Little Debbie Cakes
Napkins
Protein Rich Snacks
Eye Drops
Nasal Spray
Dry Mouth Lozenges
Liquid IV/Electrolyte Packets
We are BEYOND thankful for all of the needed items the community has brought so far!!

Stay Informed

Residents should stay tuned to the South Carolina Forestry Commission and local news for real-time updates, as conditions could shift quickly. For now, the Table Rock Fire continues to test the resilience of Upstate communities and the dedication of the crews battling to contain it.

A while back the citizens experienced an odd situation with their water. The water had turned brown. The matter was looked into and it was determined to have turned brown due to the heat that had hit the area. One city councilman Grant Keehn started speculating that it was all about the age of the water system, and that rumor took off in the community spreading like wildfire.

Here is a reply from the City of Walhalla from the Mayor Tim Hall about the water.

According to our water experts, last summer’s discolored water was caused by the temperatures which caused excess amounts of iron and magnesium to come into our water system through our Lake Keowee water source. Since then, our water plant has installed a monitoring system, which goes beyond SC DHEC requirements, to detect such a situation should it happen again, and give our water plant operators advance warning to take remedial action.
The city awarded $10 million in grant-funded water and sewer projects over the last few months and completed another $2.2 million water project on Highway 11 in late summer of last year. There is more to do. An in-house estimate put our water and sewer upgrade needs at $30 million. We are actively seeking additional grant funding for these projects.
 
I invite you to take a look at the comprehensive Water and Sewer Action Plan council adopted in August (by a 5-1 vote)
Some Walhalla citizens and water customers had lingering questions about previous city actions related to our water system, and we compiled answers to their questions in the link below (many of these issues predate our current administration): https://www.cityofwalhalla.com/wp-content/uploads/faqs.pdf
 
Citizens and water customers can find much more information (including water quality reports) at the Walhalla Public Utilities website: https://www.cityofwalhalla.com/departments/public-utilities/
https://www.cityofwalhalla.com/wp-content/uploads/walhalla-water-strategy.pdf

At last week’s meeting on this, our utilities director estimated around $10.5 million in needs (I will need to check on the exact amount) over the next 12 months, with the majority paid by grants. The city would be responsible for up to $650,000, but could be less. Estimates for upgrading the entire system are now $19-25 million over the next 10 years. Those are rough estimates and subject to change until we can get a third party report on it

As always, I invite anyone with additional concerns or this or any other city matter to contact me directly by email at thall@cityofwalhalla.com or by phone at 864-710-6848

Oconee County Hit and Run suspect on the loose

Truck Wanted in Deadly Hit and Run Case
South Carolina Highway Patrol is looking for a black 2014-2020 Chevrolet dually with damage to the passenger front and side. Officials believe this truck may be linked to the hit and run on Hwy 11 near Westminster Monday in which 34 year old Devon James Turner was killed.
Anyone with information about the truck or its driver is asked to contact the SCHP at (864) 241-1000 or Crime Stoppers at (844) 712-7463

Update on the story as of 3:30PM EST today they have found the vehicle that was suspected of the hit and run, but not the person believed to be responsible.
A person called in to make a tip about who it might be and was informed the person suspected had already been captured. This turned out to not be true, the vehicle has been found, but not the person driving.

Update on this story as of 5:45PM EST
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is working with the South Carolina Highway Patrol in the fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred Monday afternoon in southern Oconee County.

 

The vehicle involved in the accident has been located. 

 

Contrary to social media posts, no arrests have been made in the investigation and the investigation remains ongoing. 

 

If you have any information concerning the fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred yesterday afternoon on S. Highway 11 in southern Oconee County, contact Crimestoppers, where you don’t have to give your name, at 1-844-71-CRIME.  You can also submit a tip on-line at 71crime.com or by downloading the free P3 app on your mobile device. 

 

If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

$3,200. That’s the cost of renting a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in West Union, South Carolina—plus a $2,000 security deposit. With most landlords requiring tenants to earn 3x the monthly rent, that means an income of $9,600 per month is needed just to qualify. For many of us, that’s simply unattainable.

Wages in the area have barely risen, yet investors continue to pour money into rural, undeveloped land, often backed by government grants. Northerners are drawn here by the promise of lower property taxes, while longtime residents—those who built these towns and communities—are being pushed out. Homelessness is on the rise.

After coming to these conclusions myself, I decided to ask questions and speak with local county officials. What I learned was sobering. They shared that the goal is to make Keowee Key—the cookie-cutter retirement community—the centerpiece of Oconee County.

As a single mother of two, this is my worst fear coming to life. The town I grew up in no longer feels like home. Right now, my kids and I are homeless, temporarily staying with family. I work hard as an independent insurance agent, but it’s simply not enough to keep up with skyrocketing rent, rising utility bills, and the cost of living.

Am I the only one? Are others in our community facing these same challenges? I’d like to hear your stories and work together to find solutions. Let’s bring attention to what’s happening before more families are displaced.

Recently a local business in Oconee County got a very shocking surprise visit from SC Department of Agriculture.
The visit was a surprise as they didn’t think that they had anything to be concerned about. They sell vegetables, and other assorted items that the locals like to purchase.

The name of the business is Bushel and a Peck Produce & Country Store.
The store had been selling baked goods for a long while to go along with their other items. The owner made the items at home and sold them at their store, they looked into it and found out that the Cottage Law allowed this type of activity. The inspector from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture said they were in violation.

The owner looked into it again, and they ended up calling a supervisor at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and they helped clarify the rules and laws, the owner was elated to find out that the items they were selling were not in violation of the law, they did have to change their offerings on some of the items though.
At times people make mistakes, so they found out that the inspector got some things wrong that they were telling the owner.

According to the inspector there were more businesses in Oconee County as well that were going to get a visit.
We will try to find out what the outcome was of those visits as well.

What is Cottage Law?

The Cottage Law which is also known as the Home-based food products law, is a law that allows for people to make and sell goods that are made at home to be sold. It allows exemptions for small operations. You would want to seek the advice of an attorney on if your product meets the requirements of the Cottage Law and are in compliance, you can also contact South Carolina Department of Agriculture for helpful information as well.
Clemson University has a page that is loaded with information on this subject and gives a basic guide about this matter. https://www.clemson.edu/extension/food/resources/cottage-law.html

Resources for you to follow up with:
South Carolina Legislation site: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/506.htm
Clemson University Cottage Law page: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/food/resources/cottage-law.html
South Carolina DHEC Retail food establishments regulation 61-25: https://dc.statelibrary.sc.gov/entities/publication/42c3f9b1-3a1c-4e70-a846-472c3e8d410c

Good Afternoon,

See below an attached press release for a cold weather shelter LifePoint Church in Seneca is standing up in response to the upcoming extreme cold weather Monday – Wednesday.

The location of the church is as follows:

LifePoint Church is located at 1926 Blue Ridge Blvd, Seneca, SC 29672 and will begin operation hours starting Monday, January 20, 2025 at 6PM.

I have attached local media partners as well as local law enforcement to this email. If you will please share via your sources to help get the word out.

Please be careful on Highway 123 past Oconee Animal Shelter, a lot of rescue vehicles, and police on the train tracks. Don’t know all the details at the moment, the Coroner is on scene investigating a deceased person at the scene of the train tracks.